About

Bob Santelli and Deana McCloud have worked as colleagues curating exhibits and programs for over a decade. As the duo worked to co-curate the exhibit “Woody Guthrie: People Are the Song” for the Morgan Library, Santelli proposed the idea of creating a collective of highly skilled music museum professionals to curate and travel a variety of exhibits. The Museum Collective was officially established in March 2022.

This venture, consisting of McCloud, Santelli, and a cadre of Los Angeles and Tulsa professionals, is responsible for curating special exhibitions and producing programs that resonate with audiences across the country. Their effort has notably contributed to establishing the Boston-based Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame housed in the iconic Wang Theatre.

Ultimately, the Museum Collective’s work underscores the power of connectivity—through music, history, and shared experiences—and the importance of building and maintaining relationships in order to share these stories with a new generation. As the Collective’s portfolio continues to grow, the team remains focused on educational opportunities to honor the past, celebrate the present, and nurture the future.